this year, i mustered the courage and patience to visit the tidal basin cherry blossoms three separate times — a few days early, sunset at peak-bloom, and for a sunrise (ass-kicking) workout.  there were tourists aplenty all three times, but the trees are so beautiful and truly live up to the hype, so the flailing elbows and fanny-packs cruising through your shot are worth it.

if it were possible to predict their bloom time more than a few weeks in advance, i’d fly out all my family and friends just to see them.  it is a cotton candy dreamland!